Saint Gervase
Saints Gervase and Protase (died c. 2nd century AD in Milan, Italy) were twin brothers and the first martyrs of Milan, whose bones were discovered by Saint Ambrose in 386 AD in a miraculous find that electrified the Christian world. Their martyrdom is placed in the earliest Christian centuries, though nothing certain is known of their lives. The discovery of their relics — accompanied immediately by miraculous healings of the blind — gave Ambrose a decisive political and spiritual weapon against the Arian Empress Justina and her court. They are patrons of Milan and of haymakers. Their feast day is June 19.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Gervase
| Saint Gervase | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | June 19 |
| Profession | Martyrs (probably soldiers or citizens of Roman Milan) |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; martyrs of the pre-Constantinian Church; first martyrs of Milan |
| Patronage | Milan; haymakers; soldiers; those seeking miraculous healing; the blind (through the healing of Severus) |
| Attributes | Palm (martyr); twin brothers; military dress (tradition); scourge (Protase's instrument) and sword (Gervase's); their relics in a gold reliquary |
| Birthplace | Milan, Italy (tradition) |
| Death Place | Milan, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; the manner of Gervase's death is unknown; tradition says beheaded; Protase was said to have been beaten to death |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Italy — their remains rest beneath the high altar alongside Saint Ambrose; one of the holiest sites in Italian Catholicism; visited by millions annually |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Calendar, June 19) |
| Historic Class | Feast (June 19) |
Biography
Nothing is reliably known of the lives of Gervase and Protase. They belong to the earliest stratum of Christian history in Milan. Their story is essentially the story of their miraculous discovery.
In 386 AD Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, was engaged in a tense conflict with the Arian empress Justina, mother of the young emperor Valentinian II, who demanded that Ambrose hand over basilicas in Milan for Arian worship. Ambrose refused, and the standoff paralyzed the city.
In this atmosphere, Ambrose received what he describes as a "presentiment" or divine inspiration. He directed his clergy to excavate in front of the tombs of the martyrs in the Basilica of SS. Felice and Nabore. The workmen found two large skeletons — the bones of Gervase and Protase. Ambrose had the bones transferred with solemn ceremony to the new basilica he had built (Sant'Ambrogio). During the procession, a blind man named Severus, who had been blind for eight years, placed his handkerchief on the reliquary and was immediately healed. The account is confirmed independently by Saint Augustine of Hippo, who was in Milan at the time and witnessed the popular excitement.
The discovery gave Ambrose's community a massive surge of popular support. The empress backed down. The first martyrs of Milan were commemorated with a feast that spread rapidly throughout the Latin world.
Their names appear in early martyrologies and in the Roman Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I), where Gervasius and Protasius are listed among the saints of Milan.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Milan, Italy (tradition)
Death location: Milan, Italy
Notable location:
Notable location: The church built on or near the site where their bodies were originally venerated before Ambrose moved them; historic Milan church dedicated to them (Basilica of Saints Gervase and Protase (San Gervasio e Protasio), Milan)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan — their relics rest beneath the high altar with Saint Ambrose; one of the holiest sites in Italian Christianity.
Feast day
June 19
Veneration
Saints Gervase and Protase are venerated in the Roman Catholic Church on June 19 as an Optional Memorial. They are the first martyrs of Milan and their names appear in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
Prayers
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